Communication, those 'words' we use everyday are so important, those 'words' can easily be taken for granted, yet many times those 'words' can be so misunderstood between parent and child. This video is about what can happen when parent-teen communication goes wrong, and how to improve that communication.
Teen depression, teen suicide, rebellious and ungrateful teens, parents that ‘just don’t get yet’ or understand. We hear these words too often, these are all too common problems, and each side tends to blame the other.
The video you are about to watch should be viewed by both parents and Teens, ideally both at the same time. As a parent, the video took me aback, made me sad, made me angry, and challenged how I communicate with my own kids. It is a very ‘in your face’ video that challenges and provokes thought.
No matter how good a parent we think we are, we should always be looking at improving our relationship and communication with our kids. And if we are lucky parents that have a great relationship with our kids, maybe we can help those that don’t.
Communication, those ‘words’ we use everyday are so important, those ‘words’ can easily be taken for granted, yet many times those ‘words’ can be so misunderstood between parent and child.
As parents we want our children to succeed, but yet, we can push a child away by the words we use. As a teenager, we are wanting more and more independence, but yet, we can easily become confrontational with the words we use when trying to express ourselves. Even though it may have been years since I was a teen, I still remember.
Josh in his video brought back some memories, and made me think about the ‘words’ I use with my own children. As Josh mentioned in his video, when a parent says ‘you have to study’ they really mean that they care about your future, or ‘be home by 11:00′, they really care about your safety.
So what is the solution? I will be honest, each parent, each child, each situation is different. As parents many of us parent as we have been parented. I would be very arrogant to propose one solution that would cover everything, it is much more complicated than that.
However, as parents, and as teens, I would propose we think about the ‘words’ we do use and how we communicate with each other. This video from Josh should be seen by both Parents and Teenagers. In fact, I would recommend both Parent and Child sit down together and watch it, and to start a dialog.
I want to thank Josh at HeyJosh.com for the time and thought that went into this video. Visitors can also receive a free ebook. You can get yours at
http://www.heyjosh.com/ask-josh/
Let’s start that conversation today!
Kevin – More4kids
Why do words matter so much in parent-teen communication?
Words can build a connection or break it down — and with teenagers, the difference between feeling heard and feeling criticized often comes down to a single phrase. When a parent says ‘you have to study,’ a teen may hear criticism; the parent actually means ‘I care about your future.’ That gap between intention and perception is at the heart of most parent-teen friction. Slowing down to think about how your words will land — not just what you mean to say — is one of the most practical communication shifts a parent can make.
What do parents really mean when they set rules for their teenagers?
Almost always, care. A curfew of ‘be home by 11’ is a parent’s way of saying ‘I worry about your safety.’ Pushing to study means ‘I believe in your future.’ Rules are usually love in disguise — even when they feel like control. When teens understand the intention behind a rule, conversations tend to go better. And when parents name that intention out loud, it changes the whole dynamic.
How can parents and teenagers start having better conversations with each other?
A good starting point is sitting down together and deliberately thinking about the words each side uses — not to score points, but to actually understand what the other person is trying to say. Watching something together that sparks honest conversation is one practical approach. The real goal is opening a door: parents sharing what they mean behind their rules, and teens sharing how those words actually land. Starting that dialogue is more valuable than any single technique.
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